Migrasomes in Health and Disease: Insights into Mechanisms, Pathogenesis, and Therapeutic Opportunities.

Abstract

Migrasomes are newly discovered, migration-dependent organelles that mediate the release of cellular contents into the extracellular environment through a process known as migracytosis. Since their identification in 2014, growing evidence has highlighted their critical roles in intercellular communication, organ development, mitochondrial quality control, and disease pathogenesis. Migrasome biogenesis is a complex, multi-step process tightly regulated by lipid composition, tetraspanin-enriched microdomains, and molecular pathways involving sphingomyelin synthase 2, Rab35, and integrins. Unlike exosomes, migrasomes possess distinct structural and functional characteristics, which position them as novel organelles rather than classic extracellular vesicles. Recent studies have revealed their involvement in diverse pathological contexts, including kidney disease, cancer progression, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, viral infections, and myocardial infarction. Notably, migrasomes hold promise as diagnostic biomarkers, especially in early podocyte injury, and as therapeutic targets in oncology and regenerative medicine. This review summarizes the current understanding of migrasome biology, and their implications in health and disease, and explores emerging perspectives on harnessing migrasomes for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.